How to Recycle

General Campus Information

W&L recycles 1&2 plastics (#s located on bottom of item), aluminum and tin, mixed paper and paperboard, and cardboard. We have single stream recycling on campus, which means all these listed items can go in the same blue bin! Wondering how it gets sorted and packaged for reuse? Check out this video from a recent visit to the facility where W&L's recycling gets processed: Recycling at W&L .

Remember that, where applicable, items should be empty and rinsed (don't try to recycle a soup can that still has soup in it!) and items that are excessively dirty or wet should be put in the  trash.For details on recycling electronic waste, see How to Dispose of E-Waste (aka Techno Trash)

For more information about where our recycling goes and other campus waste reduction initiatves, check out the Waste section in this website's Climate Action overview.

Specifics for:

Your Office

Each department/building has a central recycling collection spot. Custodial staff collects from these central locations. If you have a personal recycling can in your office, empty it into the central bin when it is full. Break down all cardboard before leaving it for collection.

Not sure where your central recycling location is? Contact University Facilities to request guidance from the custodian in your building.

Gaines & Graham-Lees  

There are recycling bins in central locations in your building for mixed paper and cardboard (broken down and small enough to fit in the bin!), aluminum and 1&2 plastics for incidental use. Personal recycling collected in your room and any larger cardboard (clean and broken down) should be brought to the dumpster behind the building. Please empty items directly into the bins without bags.

If you would like to use a university recycling bin to keep in your room, you may request one through the University Facilities Work Order System  (but keep in mind that you can use any bin you like to collect recycling in your room as longs as you empty it into the right place). Personal bins should be emptied into the recycling dumpsters when full. If you request a university bin, remember to leave it in your room when you move out. A replacement fee will be charged for missing bins.

In Greek Housing

Each sorority and fraternity house has a bin for mixed recycling - paper, plastics 1&2, tin, aluminum - in a central location (usually near the dining room). Use this for all recycling except for larger cardboard pieces. Cardboard should be broken down and brought out to the cardboard dumpster for the building. If there is no cardboard dumpster, cardboard can be stacked neatly by the trash bins behind the building. Recycling is collected twice a week.

In Theme Houses

Most theme houses have a bin for mixed recycling in a central location (usually near the dining room). Use this for all recycling except for large cardboard. Cardboard should be broken down and brought out to the cardboard dumpster for the building. If there is no cardboard dumpster, cardboard can be stacked neatly by the trash bins behind the building. Recycling is collected twice a week.

Casa Hispanica, Chavis House, 210 N. Main, 19 Washington Place and the Outing Club House do not have central recycling collection from inside the house. Residents in these houses are asked to please bring their recycling directly to the recycling bins behind the building. Please empty it directly into the bins without bags. Cardboard can be stacked neatly in this same location.

Recycling is collected twice a week.

In Village Housing

Collect recycling in your apartment or townhouse using any bin you like. It doesn't matter as long as you empty it into the right place! Recycling dumpsters are located behind Fieldside, and by the upper playing fields, the same spots you visit to empty your trash. Please empty items directly into the bins without bags.

If you would like to use a university recycling bin in your apartment or townhouse, you can request one through the University Facilities Work Order System. Remember to leave these bins in the unit when you move out. A replacement fee will be charged for missing bins. 

In Woods Creek

Each suite is equipped with a small recycling can. This should be emptied into the central recycling dumpsters across the road from the Woods Creek Apartments when full.  Please put items directly in the bin without bags. Remember to leave these bins in the suite when you move out. A replacement fee will be charged for missing bins.

Need information about recycling off-campus?